Information for parents

ARC is committed to providing your child with a fun, safe and supportive learning environment that will develop your child’s skills and confidence. As a not for profit community arts organisation we rely on the support and hard work of volunteer members.

ARC Commitment to child safety

All children engaged in the activities of Amateur Repertory Company Inc have a right to feel and be safe. The welfare of the children in our care will always be our first priority and we have a zero tolerance to child abuse. We aim to create a child safe and child friendly environment where children feel safe and have fun.

Children’s rights to safety and participation

Amateur Repertory Company Inc staff and volunteers encourage children to express their views. We listen to their suggestions, especially on matters that directly affect them. We actively encourage all children who participate in our activities to ‘have a say’ about things that are important to them. We teach children about what they can do if they feel unsafe. We listen to and act on any concerns children, or their parents, raise with us in accordance with our child safety reporting process.

Valuing diversity

We value diversity and do not tolerate any discriminatory practices.

To achieve this we:

■ promote the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal children and their families

■ promote the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and their families

■ welcome children with a disability and their families and act to promote their participation

■ seek appropriate staff from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Recruiting staff and volunteers

Amateur Repertory Company Inc applies the best practice standards in the recruitment and screening of staff and volunteers working with children. We interview and conduct referee checks on all staff and require police checks and Working with Children Checks for relevant positions and volunteers.

1. Working with Children Checks

All volunteers involved with the ARC Children’s Choir are required to have a valid Working with Children Check. This includes any parent/guardians of participants that may assist the Children’s Choir at rehearsals or performances. You can apply for a Working with Children’s Check (WWCC) on-line and nominate Amateur Repertory Company as your volunteer organisation. There is no cost to obtain a WWCC for volunteers.

2. Attending rehearsals

Parents/guardians are requested to ensure that their child is on time for weekly rehearsals. All children must be signed in and signed out of weekly rehearsals by their parent/carer. Parents will not be allowed to stay and watch each weekly rehearsal as this can be distracting for the children. We encourage you to grab a coffee at one of the nearby cafes on High St, or otherwise enjoy this time! Allocated times will be available each term for you to watch a rehearsal and there will also be many performances to enjoy.

All parents/carers are required to ensure that children are collected promptly at the end of each rehearsal. If there is an emergency and you are running late, please contact us immediately. Late pick up fees will apply to cover the cost of supervision and venue hire.

3. Food and Drink

Children are not permitted to consume food and drinks during rehearsals. Please ensure that your child has had an after school snack prior to arrival. Children are requested to bring a water bottle only to rehearsals.

4. Behavioural Expectations

In order to provide a safe and supportive learning environment, all children attending the Children’s Choir are expected to be of good behaviour. This includes respect for themselves, others, and property. Inappropriate or unsafe behaviour will not be tolerated and may lead to removal of the child from a rehearsal or the program.

Any issues arising will be discussed with parents/carers.

5. Fees and Payments

ARC Children’s Choir aims to provide an affordable and accessible choral program. As part of a not for profit organisation we aim to minimise costs to members through fundraising activities. However, to meet the operational costs of the choir fees need to be paid each term.

ARC Annual Membership Fee

All participants in the Children’s Choir become an Associate Member of Amatuer Repertory Company Inc. The annual membership fee (to be paid on joining) is $50.00. This membership to ARC is valid for 12 months and contributes towards our public liability and volunteer accident cover and other operating expenses.

Choir Fees

Choir term fees will be invoiced each term based on the number of rehearsal weeks in a term, and to cover the cost of our professional conductor, venue hire and music.

In 2018 choir fees are based on $10 per rehearsal. (For example 8 weeks = $80). Fees are invoiced each term. There is no casual attendance/payments.

Payments can be made by:

Cash

Cheque (addressed to “Amateur Repertory Company”)

BPay and Credit Card (Master Card or Visa)

Direct transfer to our account at the Bendigo Bank

If there are any difficulties with fee payments, please don’t hesitate to discuss your situation with the ARC Children’s Choir Manager.

A family discount is available to choir fees where there are two or more siblings in the choir. Please discuss this with the ARC Children’s Choir Manager.

6. Emergency Contact and Medical Information

All parents must complete and sign the ARC Children’s Choir Enrolment Registration Form prior to their child commencing in the choir. This includes nominating emergency contacts and informing us of any medical conditions and allergies that your child may have. Parent should ensure that children bring relevant medication with them to rehearsal (eg. Ventolin/Epipens) as required.

7. Feedback

Your feedback on any aspect of the ARC Children’s Choir is welcome. This program is a new program to ARC and we want it to be great for children and their families. Please discuss with us or contact via email to raise any feedback, concerns or complaints

Information for parents ARC is committed to providing your child with a fun, safe and supportive learning environment that will develop your child’s skills and confidence. As a not for profit community arts organisation we rely on the support and hard work of volunteer members. ARC Commitment to c...

Thanks to all our singers who performed Bendigo Bank Heidelberg Branch on Burgundy St yesterday! A very special way for us to say thank you to Bendigo Bank for supporting our Choral Scholarship program - applications will open in January so stay tuned!